management

Last reviewed 01/2018

• if infection is suspected then take a swab for microscopy and culture. Localised umbilical infection may be treated with topical therapy e.g. fusidic acid cream tds.
• a persistent granuloma can be cauterised with the tip of a silver nitrate stick.
• the surrounding normal skin should be protected with petroleum jelly in order to prevent chemical burns.
• a patient may be reviewed after a week to check if a further application of silver nitrate is required.